My Russian Helmet

**tankfreak** · 01-02-2009, 06:17 PM

Hi There
Happy New Year.
This is my first post so I hope it works.
This is my only russian Helmet which I am hoping is of WW2 vintage , what do you guys think?

thanks

tankfreak.

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 01-02-2009 06:17 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**Dimas** · 01-02-2009, 06:24 PM

The helmet is original, but the liner is strange and doe's not look to me original, close up pictures of the liner would be great!

**tankfreak** · 01-02-2009, 07:57 PM

Thanks for the quick reply Dimas, unfortunately my macro lens is Kaput so I may try taking a picture with another camera. On close inspection of the liner it does not have any markings at all but it does look factory made? I suspected that at least the leather chinstrap was Czech but the liner consists of two layers, a coloured cloth one and a thin leather? one on top and is different to other Czech Liners I have seen on the Web.
Any comments on the colour? The original green can be clearly seen underneath and I was wondering whether to remove this dark Grey paint, what do you think?

**RichieC** · 01-03-2009, 12:58 AM

IMO, I would think that this has been repainted/relined, postwar - legitimately - during Soviet times.

If this is indeed so, (whilst all the purists would say that it is "ruined"), I would say that it is a cool and unique piece that should remain untouched.

**Dimas** · 01-03-2009, 01:08 AM

But the liner is looks like one of socialist republics made- not USSR

**RichieC** · 01-03-2009, 01:36 AM

by Dimas

But the liner is looks like one of socialist republics made- not USSR

Absolutely Dim, это - такой...

My hypothesis is that this helmet was recycled from European battlefield salvage and/or discarded Soviet occupation troops stock. It was relined/repainted for use by the new (Soviet controlled) Satellite Armies during beginning of 1950X by whatever it's respective host's shops could assemble from parts available...

**Tom Bennett** · 01-03-2009, 01:49 AM

Nice looking lid,
I use a product called acetone to remove postwar paint but it must be done carefully so as not to eat into the original paint underneath. Just use an old cotton tea shirt or somthing like that and work over it slowly.It will all depend on how thick the original paint is under grey paint too.After cleaning paint off just use water to wash residue from the surface to check your progress.I have cleaned thick paint from German WWII Helmet's and other item's with great success but they have a very thick coat of paint.
Best advice is to try some under liner or somwhere it may not be so noticed just to see if paint disolve's easily. Ive never done a Russian Helmet so not sure how it will go but worth a try if you want the WWII finish back and improve value.
Best of luck

Tom

**tankfreak** · 01-03-2009, 06:09 PM

Great to hear that at least the shell is WW2 but what model is it ? 39 or 40?

tankfreak.

**Adrian Stevenson** · 01-03-2009, 07:48 PM

Hi, and welcome to the forum from me.

The helmet is an Ssch39. Note the higher placed rivets for the liner. The 40's have these placed about 2 inches lower

Please do not strip the paint from this. You will ruin it's value to any serious collector. We have not yet determinded about the liner and this paint could may well be part of some refurbishment programme it went through.

Cheers, Ade.